Music Teachers' Association of California Certificate of Merit

Certificate of Merit (CM), initiated in 1933 by the Music Teachers' Association of California (MTAC), is a 10 level evaluation program designed for students who are typically between second and twelfth grades, but applicable to all ages, including many adults. At every level, incremental progress is evaluated in five areas: music theory, technique, performance, ear training, and sight reading. 

Students prepare for evaluations which take place in March at UCSC, preceded by group performance opportunities to build confidence and skill. Successful students receive a certificate of achievement.

As music theory is the language of music, all students complete a music theory workbook for their level which includes a review of prior levels and practice tests to assess their understanding. 

Music Teachers' Association of California (MTAC)

Link to MTAC website

Incorporated in 1897,  the MTAC Mission Statement is “to promote excellence in the music teaching profession through high membership standards, strong ethical values, and continuing professional education.”

Our annual State Conventions provide a long weekend of educational enrichment and inspiration. MTAC brings in exhibitors and educators of national prominence to lecture, give workshops, master classes, concerts,  and present to us the latest developments in the music teaching profession. Convention provides a candy shop for music teachers.

Santa Cruz is one of more than 60 branches of MTAC throughout the state. We maintain our own schedule of programs and activities/sccmtac.org. 

- I have served as CM Branch Chair for over 20 years, prior to which I served five years as treasurer, and two years as president.  

- Over the past 20 years, I’ve regularly performed with our branch piano ensemble group, currently named Celebrate Piano Ensemble/CPE. we explore literature for one or two pianos, four or eight hands. The annual February concert at the splendid recital Hall of the UCSC Music Center is a fund-raiser for branch scholarships. 

National Guild of Piano Teachers

Division of American College of Musicians/founded in 1929 

Link to American College of Musicians website

To complement the very excellent MTAC/CM experience, I regularly teach Guild  Musicianship Phases for several months following the CM evaluations. Students continue to polish their CM repertoire, review past favorite pieces, and add new favorites to create a program. We do marathon performances in community assisted living facilities. This massive review and enrichment culminates in Guild evaluations in June.